VIDEO: Schumann - Davidsbündlertänze Op. 6 No. 2 - Innig

[pcaraganis]

Hello, first post here. I'm self-taught, been playing on and off for about 2 years. In the last six months or so I've been obsessed with Schumann, and most recently with the Ugorski recording of Davidsbündlertänze. Would love to get any feedback on this attempt. Apologies for the digital piano - I don't have an acoustic piano at my disposal for the time being.

Thanks for listening!

[stringoverstrung]

Hello,

first of all congratulations with your Schumann after 2 years of self study.

I am not an expert by any means but I studied this piece a while ago as an amateur so I will give you some advice.

First of all the A in measure 8 ( and 9) the A is not to be played. It is the same A# from the previous bar. The slur on the same note indicates that the note is prolonged into the next bar. so no A but just keep your finger on the A# for a little longer. Same for the last bar.
Secondly the top G in bar 1 and subsequent bars should be a bit less loud as it is a note that is not part of the main melody. Read the score carefully and you will see that some notes have longer values. These are the notes that should stand out. Listen to a recording and you will notice that eg it is the G and C# in bar 1.

Another area for improvement is the rhythm. Nowhere is it indicated that you should slow down after the end of the first phrase. Now indeed you feel that the phrase is coming to an end and that in romantic music some rubato is of course warranted, but you should not almost stop like a locomotive that has lost traction. Same goes for rhythm after bar 10.

It seems that in bars 12-13-14 you do not change the pedal. On an acoustic piano you will not get away with it. Try to pedal when the harmony changes (Every bar in this case).

In bar 17 you seem to make a deliberate arpeggio. Nice personal touch but Schumann might not approve.

Bar 19: The F#'s in the left hand are one octave lower.

When you get this fixed you can also try to bring out the Eusebius character of this piece. A good place to try this is bar 10 where you can try to emphasize the D# in the left hand over the 2 other notes with the top G# very close to this volume of D#. This will give you a more delicate sound.
Bar 15: try to get the D# and G# together. To achieve this straighten your pink so that your knuckles are level.

On fingering: in bar 9 you should go in the RH for 1 (Thumb) on the B and 2 on the D# to move naturally towards the G#.

Anyhow congratulations on your performance and go for it. Schumann is a great composer!

Keep it going and hear you soon.

 

[pcaraganis]

I'm quite happy to read your very thorough feedback - thank you!  I will study the points you made.

[kalospiano]

didn't know this piece, sounds very nice

[pcaraganis]

Thank you!

[thalbergmad]

That's pretty impressive after just 2 years.

Changing the wine for beer will help you progress.

Thal

[pcaraganis]

Thank you very much!